About the Book:
When a beloved state senator plunges to his death at Alexa Williams’ feet in the Capitol Rotunda, the authorities suspect suicide. Although the powerful chair of the Environmental Resources and Energy Committee was at the center of a controversial new bill to expand hydraulic fracturing, he was also rumored to be ill. Shaken, Alexa tries to move past the disturbing incident by concentrating on work. She’s leading a senate commission on sex trafficking. Plus, she’s helping an old college roommate sue a natural gas company for their role in causing her daughter’s rare cancer.

In researching the lawsuit, Alexa becomes embroiled in the high-stakes politics of fracking. As the relationship with her state trooper boyfriend drifts onto the rocks, Alexa is drawn to a charismatic state legislator who’s leading an anti-fracking crusade. Then, the police shock Alexa with the news that she could be in danger; she’s a witness to the senator’s murder, not his suicide.

When Alexa narrowly escapes a sniper’s bullet, she must discover why she’s a target―and who she can trust—before the next shot hits its mark.

With Sherry Knowlton’s trademark mix of feminism, history, romance, and fast-paced thrills, Dead of Spring skyrockets from the fracking fields of the Marcellus Shale to the Three Mile Island nuclear disaster of 1979 to the rolling hills of Tuscany to the halls of Pennsylvania state government. In this suspenseful tale of corruption and runaway greed, Alexa Williams proves, once again, that she’s a formidable heroine. The twists and turns keep will keep you on the edge of your seat.

What Others Are Saying:
DEAD OF SPRING combines legislative corruption with corporate greed that ends in deadly violence. Heroine Alexa Williams resists intimidation to battle evil at the highest levels of Pennsylvania government and commerce. Spurring her on is a love for the environment and for a friend whose daughter’s cancer is caused by fracking. Here is a spellbinding yarn jerked straight from today’s frightening headlines. — Kay Kendall, award-winning author of historical mysteries

About the Author:
Sherry Knowlton is the author of the Alexa Williams series of crime thrillers, Dead of Autumn and Dead of Summer. When not working on her health care consulting business or traveling around the world, Knowlton lives in the mountains of South Central Pennsylvania.

Excerpt:
A subtle shift in light caught Alexa’s attention. Her eyes rose from the notebook as she sensed a whisper of motion in the open space above. She gasped as a body sailed through the air, careening toward the grand central staircase. For a moment, time stalled and the body appeared to drift in slow motion as it floated through the bright rotunda. But, as it neared their bench, the body seemed to pick up speed. Alexa watched, frozen in place with hand to her mouth in horror, as it hurtled closer and closer.

Then, with a tremendous crash, the body smashed into one of the tall winged statues that flanked the foot of the stairway, shattering a beaded crystal orb the angel held aloft. A spray of blood and glass beads spiraled in a shiny pink mist from the falling man as he bounced off the statue. Losing forward momentum, the body made an abrupt drop and slammed into the clay cobblestone floor.

Keisha’s shrieks muted the leaden thud of body hitting bricks. Recovering from her initial shock, Alexa leapt to her feet, scattering her coat, notebook, and papers to the floor. Slipping on crystal beads and uneven bricks, she rushed toward the motionless form that had landed less than ten feet away.

SCRANTON, Pa.— Sunbury Press has releasedEmbattled Freedom: Chronicle of a Fugitive-Slave Haven in the Wary North, Jim Remsen’s history of the town of Waverly’s role in the Underground Railroad and other abolitionist activity.

About the Book:Rural Northeastern Pennsylvania was a bucolic farming region in the 1800s—but political tensions churned below the surface. When a group of fugitive slaves dared to settle in the Underground Railroad village of Waverly, near Scranton, before the Civil War, they encountered a mix of support from abolitionists and animosity from white supremacists. Once the war came, 13 of Waverly’s black fathers and sons returned south, into the bowels of slavery, to fight for the Union. Their valor under fire helped to change many minds about blacks.Embattled Freedomlifts these 13 remarkable lives out of the shadows, while also shedding light on the racial politics and social codes they and their people endured in the divided North. The men had found a safe haven in Waverly, but like other people of color in the 1800s and early 1900s, their freedom was uneasy, their battle for respect never-ending.

Readers are invited to visit embattledfreedom.org, a related, free educational website. There you will find:
Learning segments based on themes in the book
Author’s blog
Classroom materials
Repository of illustrations
Recommended reading

About the Author:
Jim Remsen is a journalist and author of two prior books,The Intermarriage Handbook(HarperCollins, 1988) andVisions of Teaoga(Sunbury, 2014). Since retiring as Religion Editor at thePhiladelphia Inquirer, Jim has pursued his keen interest in history, with a focus on underappreciated aspects of our nation’s local histories. Being a native of Waverly, Pa., he is pleased to be bringing his old hometown’s remarkable black and abolitionist period to light.

“A well-researched and documented read that revisits the challenges of 13 freedom-seekers who served during the Civil War. A research gem.”
-Sherman Wooden, President, Center for Anti-Slavery Studies, Montrose, Pa.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Sunbury Press has released History of Lykens Township Volume 1, compiled by the Gratz Historical Society.

About the Book:Lykens Township is perhaps the largest township in Dauphin County. It borders Mifflin Township on the west, Northumberland County on the north, Schuylkill County on the east, and Short Mountain on the south.

The first volume of the book contains the official history of the township dating back to when the Susquehanna Indians lived here. The colorful story of Andrew Lykens who settled near what is now Loyalton about 1756 is next. The record of his life is most interesting.

The area of Oakdale, and village of Loyalton is detailed in depth because of its early commercial beginnings, and contributions to the developing community. Information and genealogy of the first old families who established the town is included and the present residents of the town are also recognized.

From here, North Crossroads Road leads the way along the area of old homesteads, and also where the early Hoffman family settled, and the site of the old Hoffman Cemetery. Crossroads Road eventually joins Route 25.

A previous turn to the right onto Specktown Road, leads to the little settlement along Short Mountain, and Indian Trail. It eventually leads to the entrance to the town of Gratz.

There are histories and many photographs, as well as other information for each of the early homes and families. Also of country schools, the churches, and other historic landmarks.

The book contains a table of contents, also an index to genealogies, in addition to the index of individual names found in the book.

ALTOONA, Pa.— Sunbury Press has released The Journey Called Life, Christina Burns memoir of her turbulent youth and faith journey.

About the Book:
Survival is already a way of life, but what will become of a shattered mind?

Christina is, at least on the surface, the all-American girl next door. However, growing up in the small town of Bellwood, Pennsylvania, would prove to be anything but “normal”. A rough childhood, traumas, mental illnesses, addiction, murder, and kidnapping are just a few of the battles she faces, and she isn’t even twenty-one yet!

Little does she know, her next battle will be a literal fight for her life. Embarking on a journey to find herself, she ends up lost on a downward spiral headed straight for the deepest darkest pits of hell.

This debut book is an inspiring true story of life experience, inner strength and keeping hope alive, by a talented new author. It defies all the rules and will keep you reading from dusk till dawn. You won’t want to miss this one!

Excerpt:
April 27, 2006
My teeth gripped the steering wheel tight in a state of shock. The indents from each tooth forever etched into the steering wheel. I stared straight ahead, out the windshield. I was frozen in fear, physically unable to move. I just watched the horror unfolding in the headlights directly in front of me. I looked on in stupefaction. “Is this really happening?” I wondered. “Am I dreaming?” It was almost like a movie, except it was much more vivid and way more terrifying than any movie could ever be. This was very real, no pause button, no rewind. Frightened, I just kept watching. I felt my body go numb, I couldn’t think, couldn’t speak, couldn’t move.

There was blood everywhere. I could see that his chest was still moving up and down trying to breathe. I could hear his lungs still gasping for air. Then they made an eerily gurgling sound as they filled with blood. It poured out of the bullet holes and his orifices like a faucet.

How did I get here? I should be at home watching TV with Memom. How had my entire “normal” life led to this point? Had it all been dark and I just hadn’t realized? A dark road, down a dark path, leading to this dark end.

That happy-go-lucky, short, petite-build, bleach-blonde, curly headed, smiling, singing, praying, innocent child that I had once been so long ago. At that moment, though, I wasn’t thinking of that. I couldn’t think, couldn’t speak, couldn’t move.

About the Author:
Christina Burns was born August 22, 1985 in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Upon graduating from PSU, Christina was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree, in addition to, a Certificate of Chemical Dependency and Preventions Counseling. She went on to attain many personal and professional achievements. Surrounded by “surreal blessings” every step of the way. At one point, she even sat in the same chair as her counselor had years prior, this time counseling someone else sitting in the place she once was.

Following graduation, Christina worked as a Case Manager/Counselor at a residential facility for homeless veterans. She was then hired privately to design, develop, and facilitate as the CEO of a non profit faith-based organization. Creating a 19 bed residential facility offering a wide variety of services to include a holistic approach to life recovery, was an exciting experience in her career. Going on to work as a counselor at a residential rehabilitation facility and specializing in mental health, behavioral health, and drug and alcohol, is perhaps her most favorite of all professional accomplishments.

Christina loves being a mommy, helping others, and all things outdoors. From working on mechanics to wearing high heels, she is magnificently well rounded and down to earth! As a true free spirit, Christina enjoys kayaking, mudding in her lifted ’77 Chevy truck, riding dirt bikes and four-wheelers, fishing, sleeping under the stars, museums, amusement parks, dancing, traveling, furthering her education, reading, motivational speaking, thinking, and more- as long as it involves spending time with her son!

Discovering true love and happiness in her child, the answers to life’s questions in her education, and fulfillment in her career, Christina finally found her serenity.

In following her heart and desiring to help as many lives as possible, Christina wrote her first book. A memoir of life experience, finding inner strength, and keeping hope alive.

As an author and a member of the International Women’s Writing Guild, she now shares her story with the world.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Sunbury Press has released A Year of Change and Consequences, former acting Governor Mark SIngel’s recollection of the events of 1993.

About the Book:
Mark Singel, a Johnstown native and Penn State graduate, won election as Lieutenant Governor in 1986 as Robert Casey’s running mate. In 1993, Governor Casey was stricken with Appalachian familial amyloidosis, a rare and usually fatal liver disorder. The governor required a multiple organ transplant, which was still experimental at that time. While the governor was incapacitated and recovering, Mark Singel became the acting Governor of Pennsylvania. This book is Mark Singel’s recollection of the events that year.

About the Author:
Mark Singel served as Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania from 1987 through 1995 and, for a period of time, Acting Governor of the Commonwealth. The only person in Pennsylvania history to serve an extended time as Acting Governor, Singel received high marks for his stewardship. He led the state by enacting the first modern workers’ compensation reform package, refinanced the state’s park system through the “Key 93” program, and helped launch the high-tech era with landmark telecommunications legislation. He was also instrumental in reducing state and local taxes, the implementation of a statewide 911 emergency phone system, and the creation of thousands of new jobs in recycling and environmental technologies. He was the original author of the state’s mortgage assistance bill that has saved 50,000 Pennsylvania homes.

Prior to his terms as Lieutenant Governor, Singel served six years in the Pennsylvania State Senate and was chief of staff to two members of the U.S. Congress.

Singel ran for U.S. Senate in 1992 and for Governor in 1994. He served as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party from 1995-1998 and was the President of Pennsylvania’s Electoral College in January, 1997. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention five times from 1992 through 2016.

Singel founded The Winter Group in February, 2005 and has developed it into one of the most effective and prestigious government relations firms in the state. He continues to provide consulting services to clients in retail, hospitality and gaming, manufacturing, technology, energy, non-profits, and health care fields. Recent successes include a ban on public smoking, legislation to address child sexual abuse, and consumer protection in health care settings.

Singel served as Chair of Pennsylvanians for Judicial Reform which was instrumental in bringing talented, progressive jurists to the state’s Supreme Court.

Singel has served in various capacities with Pennsylvania’s governors and decision-makers and maintains strong personal and political ties with leaders at all levels today.

A magna cum laude graduate of Penn State, Singel continues to teach at the Harrisburg campus and other universities. He has served on the Boards of Penn State and St. Francis Universities and holds several honorary doctorate degrees. Singel is currently active with Harrisburg University and is a regular commentator on local and statewide political broadcast programs. He is a sought-after speaker at both political and academic events and is active in numerous community and philanthropic activities.

Singel has been married to Jacqueline for 40 years and has three children: Allyson, Jonathan, and Christopher. He has three grandchildren: Thomas, Felicity, and Henry Boots.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Sunbury Press has released The Relations of Dwight D. Eisenhower: His Pennsylvania German Roots, by Lawrence Knorr. Over 3500 relatives are detailed.

About the Book:
Dwight D. Eisenhower had many direct ancestors who lived in the Susquehanna Valley area of Pennsylvania and eastward. This volume tracks the former president’s lineage back to Germany and England and focuses on those descendants from the lines who lived in Pennsylvania. Over 3500 relations are detailed, including the Matters, Rombergers, Eisenhauers, Boones, Millers and many more.

Contents:
Preface to the 2nd Edition
Introduction
The Ancestors of Dwight David Eisenhower
Photos of Ike’s Parents and Siblings
Photos of Young Ike
Photos of Ike at War & as President
Photos of Ike, Mamie & Family
The Descendents of Hans Nicholas Eisenhauer
Matter Photos
The Descendents of Johannes Matter
Balthasar Romberger Photos
Romberger Photos
The Descendents of Johann Bartholomus Romberger
The Descendents of John Jacob Miller
The Descendents of George Michael Boone
Kinship Overview
Kinship Report of Dwight David Eisenhower

About the Author:
Lawrence Knorr is an amateur genealogist with deep roots in the Pennsylvania Dutch Region. Lawrence has had a 33-year career in information technology. He is also the co-owner of Sunbury Press, Inc., the owner of 2nd Floor Gallery, Inc., and an adjunct professor of Economics and Finance at Wilson College.

Lawrence holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business/Economics (History Minor) from Wilson College and a Masters of Business Administration from Penn State. He is also a Certified Computer Professional, Project Management Professional, and Certified Scrum Master. Lawrence lives with his wife Tammi and has two daughters a stepson and a stepdaughter.